Petron given 10 days to come up with sludge disposal site
Authorities gave Petron Corporation a ten day period to be able to provide a treatment site for the oil sludge gathered in the ongoing clean up operations in Guimaras.
In its regular press briefing Tuesday, oil spill incident commander Rafael Coscolluela said that the barge provided by Petron Corporation and serving as the temporary storage of oil sludge is about 45% full.
"It will take about another 10 days to fill it to capacity," Coscolluela. "So they need to come up with the decision in 10 days,"
He said that Petron Corporation is eyeing six different places that would serve as treatment sites for the oil sludge.
"They are looking at six options," said Coscolluella. He said that he is not familiar with these places, but one-Mindanao, where the plant of cement maker Holcim Philippines is located. Petron said that the oil sludge could still serve as alternative fuel as it still has a high heating value or BTU (British Thermal Unit).
Coscolluela clarified that the oil refiner is not looking for a disposal site.
What they’re looking for is an ideal site where they could stack the oil sludge, and introduce bacteria that would decompose it, he said. This process is known is bioremediation.
Petron Corporation said that talks with the local government units being eyed as treatment sites are still ongoing. However, they continue with their stand not to reveal these places for fear of eliciting protest from the residents, spokesperson Carlos Tan said.
In the meantime, a barge is docked at the Cabalagnan wharf in Guimaras.
The Philippine Coast Guard has instructed Petron to provide a lining at the bottom of the cargo bay of the barge to prevent accidental spillage of the sludge into the sea. It should also be covered with tarpaulin.
A sheltering area within the vicinity where the barge could be towed to safety was also identified in case a typhoon hits the Visayas region. A tugboat has also been placed on standby, ready to tow the barge if needed.